Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/96024
TL1301-proof 11/22/12 9:02 AM Page 1 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT THE WCTA MEMBERSHIP VALUE PROPOSITION BY TAB BUCKNER REPORT As I look outside my office window it is just another grey day with the rain falling and high winds in the forecast… the fall/winter blues have already hit the west coast of BC, while everybody east is bracing for old man-winter or has been hit already. As golf courses go into winter play rule or are completely shut down waiting for the 2013 spring to arrive, sportfields in the lower mainland and on Vancouver Island receive their highest amount of traffic on them during the fall/winter season….thank goodness for sand fields. TAB BUCKNER a one night hotel charge. The other notable conference change is that the opening ceremonies are going too occur at the Presidents Reception on the Sunday night. So on Monday morning each of the tracks: golf, sportfields, mechanics and horticulture will have their own key note speakers and then we are all off to the races for the reminder of the conference. KPU Turf Club KPU Turf Club is considering is considering putting on a social function on putting on a social function Saturday, March 2nd... keep on Saturday, watching for further information. March 2 and if you happen Your 2013 WCTA Conference is going to be in town that night please keep to be slightly different from past years. watching for further information on The pre-conference seminar consists this event. The money raised in the of one for golf and one for sportfields, past has been directed towards turf both to be held on Sunday, March 3, research. Peter Sorokovsky a plug for 2013 in the afternoon from 1-5pm. In turf research for you!!!! the past, when the pre-conference was I want to wish you and your family a held it was an all-day event however Merry Christmas and a Happy New with two coffee breaks and a lunch Year and I am looking forward to seeing break it only actually netted about 5.5 you all at the WCTA 50th Annual hours of education time. The new Conference in Penticton March 3-5, format provides fours of education at 2013. a reduced cost because the food and beverages are not required for that day. To reach me, my office email is But the best benefit is that in most tbuckner@tol.ca and my office phone cases you can travel on Sunday to is 604.532.3504. Penticton in the morning to partake in Regards, Tab Buckner, WCTA President the pre-conferences thereby reducing IMAGE CREDIT RAIN COMMUNICATION NOVEMBER-DECEMBER The Western Canada Turfgrass Association is dedicated to turf research, education and discussion and serves over 700 members in the golf and sportsturf industry. We've been around since 1958 and that basic mandate has evolved into a variety of services, any one of which might assist you in your career. Like most industry organizations, we provide valuable programs to our members such as the following: - host an annual educational conference and trade show - publish a quarterly magazine - circulate industry job postings - track pesticide recertification credits (BC only) - print and distribute an annual member and supplier directory The WCTA is also very active with related organizations like the Allied Golf Association, the Sports Turf Association, the BCRPA, BCLNA and others. The WCTA is unique however, in that we raise and distribute funds directly to turf research projects that help our members solve problems at their jobs. Many of our educational offerings focus on professional development as well and more recently, we're keeping turf managers abreast of news articles and stories that affect them. The WCTA is also the leading voice for the professional sports turf industry in British Columbia. We correspond and liaise with several government branches, the media and special interest groups in order to support and advocate for the golf and sportsturf profession on your behalf. Our most profound involvement as of late has been tied to the issue of pesticide use. Our turf management members support the responsible use of IPM and in fact, added a statement of such to our Constitution on February 2nd, 2010. ADS 08 WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION In British Columbia, we have made considerable efforts over the last two years advocating for IPM, knowing that a blanket ban on pesticides would have serious negative consequences for many of our members. Having said that, we realize many are already working under restrictive legislation but support the elimination of the confusing patchwork of municipal regulation in favour of a provincial approach. The WCTA is not about resisting change, rather, it stands for continual betterment of the entire industry through research, education and discussion. Understandably, busy days in the field (pardon the pun) don't leave much time to think about or keep up to changes happening all around us but the outside influences and pressures that affect you, like it or not, are greater than ever before. We're here to help. Of utmost importance for all those with a vested interest in the turf industry is to stand together and we respectfully solicit you to become a member of the WCTA to help make that possible. Membership is extremely reasonably priced at $225 per year. It is becoming more difficult to continue our advocacy work while providing a valuable range of member services and events. Government is looking toward industry groups like the WCTA to selfregulate and is downloading more onto non-government-organizations (NGO's) all the time. Whether you're a member or not, these actions eventually have a wide-reaching effect and it seems to make more sense to stand on the inside looking out rather than the outside looking in. Thank you very much and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate contacting Jerry Rousseau at exec.director@wctaturf.com. We hope to see you as a WCTA member in the near future.